loyalty to a false wife, but that
Kathleen O'Connor might become accustomed to him in his new position. He
would not hurry nor attempt to constrain her; he preferred to give her
time to consider him as one permitted to woo her honourably. He became
more attentive, more openly anxious to give the girl whatever she
desired, more courteous in speech and action; but he refrained from
asking the inevitable question.

As they walked side by side Kathleen had the feeling that Mrs. Quirk was
close to them. She could almost hear the voice calling "Kathleen" from
the drawing-room upstairs, but this night there was no note of warning
in the voice. She knew that "Granny" Quirk had looked forward to a union
between herself and Denis as the consummation of earthly happiness. She
believed that even in her present state of bliss her old friend would
rejoice in that union.

Denis Quirk softened his voice to a tender key that is not customary. As
a general rule he spoke in the tone of command or in a blunt, off-hand
manner. To-night he had chosen the note of entreaty.

"Kathleen" (he rested tenderly upon the word) "I have longed for you
many a day. Sometimes I have been torn by a tempest of passionate
desire. But I have always respected you, and that respect restrained me.
But if you had known the devouring furnace that has burned in me day and
night you would have pitied me. I was compelled to hold myself always in
hand, to avoid even an unguarded word or look, because I wished to walk
with honour beside me. Now I am free to speak all that is in my heart,
and that all is 'I love you and I desire you above all women.'"

Kathleen did not answer at once. She was moved by the passion in his
voice; she had come to love him, but she was afraid.

"I am frightened," she said in a low voice.

"Frightened of me?" he asked. "Why, I will protect you against the whole
world. There is no place for fear."

"You are asking me to give you myself, and if I give, I must give
unreservedly."

"Take any time you like to consider it. I can wait," he answered gently.

"No. I don't ask any longer time than a few minutes. Leave me alone for
ten minutes; then come to me."

Without another word he returned to the verandah and seated himself
beside Father O'Connor, lighting his pipe and blowing thick volumes of
blue smoke into the evening air.

Kathleen paced on alone. But suddenly the shrubs beside the avenue
parted and Gerard came out quietly. So sof